Effect of Visceral Manipulation on PCOS

The study was conducted to determine the effect of visceral manipulation on menstrual irregularities and hormonal profile in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Thirty women were randomly and equally assigned into the group (A) (Control group), who received a low caloric diet (1200 Kcal/day) only for 3 months, and the group (B) (Study group), who received visceral manipulation to the pelvic organs and the related structures in addition to the same low-calorie diet as the group (A). Evaluations pre and post-study were done for body weight, BMI, female reproductive hormones, and menstruation-related problems.

The current study was conducted to determine the effect of visceral manipulation on menstrual irregularities and hormonal profile in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Thirty women having PCOS were chosen from the outpatient clinic of the faculty of physical therapy, Cairo University. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups equal in number. Group (A) (Control group), 15 PCOS women received a low caloric diet (1200 Kcal/day) for 3 months, while group (B) (Study group), 15 PCOS women received visceral manipulation to the pelvic organs and the related structures (8 sessions, once per week in the first month then once every other week for two months) in addition to the same low-calorie diet as the group (A). Evaluations pre and post-study for body weight, body mass index, female reproductive hormones [luteinizinghormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH/FSH ratio] and menstruation-related problems were done by weight- height scale, blood analysis, and menstruation-specific domain of polycystic ovary syndrome health-related quality of life questionnaire (PCOSQ), respectively.

Polycystic ovarian women were assigned to either group (A), receiving a low-calorie diet for three months, or group (B), receiving the same diet as group (A) together with visceral manipulation of the pelvic organs and their related structures for the same study period (three months).

an independent researcher assigned the participants to one of the two study groups, by opening sealed envelopes containing serially ordered numbers. An independent assessor analyzed the patients' blood samples for hormonal profile and another assessor blinded to patients' allocation interviewed the patients for the questionnaire and assessed the weight.

Visceral manipulation to the pelvic organs and their related structures (8 sessions, once per week in the first month then once every other week for two months) added to the same low-calorie diet as the group (A).

The total score of menstruation- specific domain of polycystic ovarian syndrome questionnaire (PCOSQ) questions, calculated using the following equation: Number of patient/ group x number of questions/ domain. That total score was then used to determine the percentage of change from severity towards the optimal function.

Human LH and FSH enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to assess the level of LH and FSH in the blood sample taken from each patient.

Inclusion Criteria: Women having PCOS. 25 ≤ BMI ≤ 30 Kg/m2. Waist/hip ratio ≤ 0.80. Women experiencing irregular menstrual cycles. Exclusion Criteria: Having cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and/ or hypertension Having malignancy. Presence of reproductive disorders unrelated to PCOS. Presence of adrenal gland abnormalities.